Automatic scale model coupler



Och 1946- A. R. WICHER AUTOMATIC SCALE MODEL COUPLER v Filed Jan. 7, 1944 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 22, 1946 .I .uNi1 'E.o STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC SCALE MODEL COUPLER:

. AugustR. WichergtChicago, Ill. Application January 7, 1944, Serial No; 517,463

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a coupler in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating the two coupler heads in the act of separation.

Figure 3 is a face view of a portion of one of the coupler heads.

Figure 4 is a view of a tensioning member.

Figure 5 is a view of the same member taken from a different position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an uncoupling member.

Figure 7 is a view of a centering spring, and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a spring operatively associated with the tensioning member of Figures 4 and 5.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, Figure 1 illustrates a coupler l0 comprising two identical coupler members l2. Since the members 12 are identical in construction, the description of one will apply to both and similar reference numerals are applied to both parts.

The member l2 includes a shank I4 provided with a centering spring l6 coacting with suitable structure not shown, and which forms no part of the present invention. Sufiice it to say that the spring I6 is of U-shaped contour and is attached to the shank l4 by a clip I8 and a screw 20. One end of the shank I4 terminates in a head 22 having a hook 24 provided with a flat face 26 arranged at right angles to the axis of the shank M.

A recess 28 is provided in the head 22 for the reception of a lug 30 on a tensioning arm 32. The lug 30 is pivotally connected with the head 22 by a straight extent 34 on an uncoupling wire or member 36, The straight extent 34 extends loosely through an opening 38 in the lug 30 and through coaxial openings 40 in the head 22. The wire 36 is bent into the shape of a U 42 having one leg thereof bent back upon itself, as at 44. This leg lies inside the hook 24 and normally lies against the flat face 46 of the hook when the head one end lying in a notch 50 in the head 22. This spring includes two arms, the arm .52 engaging one wall of the slot'28 and the end 54 having a bend 56 engaging a concaved face 58 on the arm 32. The tension of the spring 48 yieldingly urges In operation, Figure 1 illustrates the coupler members l2 engaged for car coupling purposes. The flat faces 26 of the two jaws 24 lie in face to face engagement, this engagement being yieldingly maintained by reason of the pressure of the arms 32 on camming faces 60 on the respective heads 22. At the same time, the legs 44 of the two wires 36 lie between the jaws 24 and the respective flat faces 46.

With the members l2 coupled according to Figure 1, the two heads 22 may be moved closer together short distances against the tension of the springs 48, which provides desirable cushioning for the coupler structure as the cars are brought together. Each member l2 has a shoulder 62 constituting a stop for its respective member 32, so that the two members 32 are held apart sufficiently far to permit the hooks 24 to pass therebetween, with the camming surfaces 60 spreading the members 32 as the heads 22 are moved into coupling engagement. The tension of the springs 48 is sufficient to hold the hooks 24 effectively in coupled engagement, and the faces 26 are of sufficient extent to maintain such coupled engagement.

To uncouple the heads 22, either or both springs 36 are pivoted in counterclockwise directions when viewing Figure 1. Figure 2 illustrates one of the wires 36 shifted to an uncoupling position. Such pivotal movement of the arm causes the legs 44 on the pivoted wire 36 to bear against the hook 24 on the other coupler member 12 and shift the two coupler members laterally sufficiently far to disengage the two hooks. When the hooks 24 are brought to the positions of Figure 2, the members 32 press on the hooks 24 and cause axial separation of the two coupler members.

Each head 22 is provided with a stop pin 64 to limit the pivotal movement of its respective wire 36.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. A coupler of the type described, comprising two pivotally mounted coupler heads, each terminating in a coupling hook engageable with the other coupling hook, camming faces on the respective heads, tensioning members pivotally connected with each head and engaging the camming face on the other head to hold said coupling hooks in connecting engagement, and means including portions constituting pivots for the respective tensionin members pivotally connect- .ed with each head and having a part lying between the two jaws to pry the same apart when either or; both areg'pivoted inja'predetermined direction."

2. A coupling of the type described, comprising two pivotally mounted coupler heads, each terminating in a coupling hook engageable with ,the other coupling hook, camming faces on the respective heads, tensioning members pivotally connected with each head and engaging the camming face on the other head to hold said coupling 3. In a coupler of the type described, the combination of a head having an attaching shank, said shank being pivotally mounted at the end opposite to said head, said head being provided with a coupling hook and a cam face adjacent said hook, said head including a recess, a tensioning member having a lug lying in said recess, said tensioning member being adapted for engagement with the camming face on another coupler head, a spring lying in said recess and; actingon said tensioning'member to pivot thelatter into engagement with the camming face on the other a pivot for said lug, said uncoupling member hav- .;ing a part lying inside said hook for engagement hooks in connecting engagement, means includ- I with a similar hook on another head to pry the two hooks apart, said shank being provided with a centering spring means, a stop on said head for limiting the pivotal movement of said tensioning member in onedirection, and a stop'on said head for. limiting the pivotal movement of said coupling member in one direction.

' 7 AUGUST R.- WICHER. 

